Marketing campaign helps FFA reconnect with former members.

For 75 years, the coveted FFA blue corduroy and gold emblem jacket has been donned by proud members who exemplify teamwork, leadership and excellence. For more than 3 million Americans, the jacket provides an emotional reminder of the organization that played such a vital role in their student years.

Now, as FFA celebrates its diamond anniversary during 2003, the organization recognizes the opportunity to launch a national campaign to begin the process of reconnecting with its former members.

National FFA advisor Larry Case says that while many members have taken the initiative to stay active with FFA over the years, little has been done within the organization to develop a dialogue with the former membership base. He cites a lack of technology available to track the large number of former members as the main impediment to progress. However, Case says recent changes have virtually eliminated this hurdle.

"We've made significant strides in the last two years to upgrade our technological capabilities," he explains. "These strides, coupled with the explosion of Internet users, means FFA now has the tools to reconnect and maintain a relationship with former members."

THE FFA SEED GROWS

Founded in 1928, FFA has focused on its mission of making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.

Countless students have launched successful lives through their participation in FFA. Some of the most notable alumni include former President Jimmy Carter, Nicholas Kristof (associate managing editor and editorial columnist for The New York Times) and Fred McClure (aide to former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush).

REACHING THE MASSES

While there could be many distinct ways to reconnect with former members, the National FFA Organization is enlisting the help of trade media, FFA associations, FFA chapters and corporate sponsors. The multimedia effort consists of advertisements, a dedicated Web site, publicity, posters and state and local promotions. Additional coverage will be sought through radio and television interviews and participation in national trade shows.

The ads, created as an in-kind project by Bader Rutter & Associates Inc. based in Milwaukee, are scheduled to run in various agricultural publications the rest of this year. Greg Nickerson, president of Bader Rutter and FFA sponsors board member, says the agency was excited to help the organization create a campaign to reconnect with former members.

Nickerson says that each of the models used in the ads had a connection to Bader Rutter and are actual former FFA members. Each ad was designed to convey an emotional appeal to a specific age group. The three age groups targeted included those in their 20s to early 30s, mid-30s to late 40s, and those in their early 50s or older

"The ads provide a Web address and toll-free number to make it easy for former FFA members to reconnect with the organization," Nickerson explains. "Additionally, a press kit explaining the 'reconnect story' will be sent to trade media and FFA sponsors for use in publications and Web sites."

RELIVING THE MEMORIES, FINDING OLD FRIENDS

Former members are invited to relive their FFA experience at www.ffa.org/reconnect/. The Web site, which represents a major redesign, includes features such as:

* Registration profiles, past member directory and search functions, which allow former members to find one another.

* Interactive bulletin boards where former members can talk both as a larger community and in areas of special interest.

* Opportunities to post job openings and resumes, share old FFA photos, learn about how the FFA has changed and grown, test one's knowledge, and find out how individuals can support today's FFA members through volunteering or contributions.

Former members who were active at local, state and national levels shared how they would like to reconnect with FFA and each other, according to Brighton USA, which designed the site as an in-kind contribution to the FFA.

"The site will allow former members to recapture their FFA experiences and find old friends," says Christine M. Nieland, Brighton USA account supervisor. "Alumni can discover ways to help ensure today's FFA members share in the rich FFA experience."

As a token of appreciation for former members, those who register on the Web site will be entered into a drawing for FFA 75th Anniversary merchandise.

Once a former member's information has been established through the Reconnect campaign, it will be managed by the National FFA Organization and will not be sold or made available to anyone outside the organization.

Ultimately, FFA views the Reconnect campaign as a way of building upon the human investment developed by the organization for more than 75 years.

"For FFA to continue to excel in the future, it's our hope that former members who benefited from their FFA experience will give back to the organization through volunteer, advocacy and financial support efforts," Case says. "Working together, we can ensure that the next generations of FFA members are able to begin a lifetime of success through agricultural education."

RELATED ARTICLE: Former state officer takes time to reconnect.

FFA has had a profound effect on the lives of many FFA alumni. For Scott Shuman, vice president of real estate for Schrader/Westchester in Champaign, Ill., the organization was a lifechanging experience.

"I met my wife at the National FFA Center," says Shuman, the 1988-89 Colorado State FFA Secretary. "We met 12 years ago and now have been married for 10 years."

Shuman met his future wife, the former Krista Fritz, when they were both counselors at the Washington Conference Program (now Washington Leadership Conference or WLC). As the 1989-90 State FFA Secretary from Indiana, Krista also served as a member of the Made for Excellence program staff.

"FFA has opened up a lot of doors for me in my professional life," Shuman explains. "The value of networking through FFA has been tremendous. I have also met many great lifelong friends through my FFA experiences."

"FFA produces high-quality people in our society, and I would like to stay in touch with them," Shuman notes. "I would like to help the FFA and give back in any way I can."

He took the time to reconnect with FFA to keep in touch with people and friends from his past. He also tries to give back to the FFA each year by speaking at a few chapter banquets and leadership conferences throughout the nation.

Shuman believes it is important for FFA alums to contact a local high school in their area and offer a hand. There are a wide array of involvement opportunities--from helping with a chapter fundraiser, or speaking to an agricultural education class about careers, to starting a local FFA Alumni chapter.

"FFA gave my wife and me so much and helped us out in so many ways. Our own FFA opportunities were created by past FFA members and FFA alumni," Shuman concludes. "Now it's important for us to help out in any way we can so current students have the same opportunities we did."

If you are a former member and wish to contact FFA, call the toll-free number at 888 / 433-2674. Or visit the Reconnect Web site at www.ffa.org/reconnect/.